Last night on the news you saw the Minister of Agriculture Jose Mai endorse the release from the 4 cane farmers growers associations asking for an increase in the prices of molasses and sugar.
The increase in the price of molasses will affect makers of rum, and they are still formulating a position on what they feel will be an unfair premium on their product.
But sugar is something all of us use and according to Minister Mai it is only used sparingly by Belizeans.
Well not so for Bowen and Bowen they use industrial volumes of sugar in their carbonated beverages and to brew beer. And tonight - in a statement to 7news - they say they are quote, "one of the largest buyers of Belizean sugar." And their position is, quote, "Any adjustments to local sugar pricing would affect the competitiveness of Belize-made products compared to imports that use lower-cost sugar."
They also say, quote, "If local sugar prices increase, this would raise production costs for local manufacturers, making their products less competitive."
And they add, quote, "Rather than increasing prices to the Local Market, which already delivers the highest Net Revenue, it may be more advantageous for Cane Farmers, Local Consumers, the Sugar Industry, and Belize, if efforts focused on improving sugarcane yields per acre to align more closely with regional standards."
Here's more from the company's corporate relations manager Rossana Villanueva who spoke to us via zoom.
Rosanna Villanueva, Corporate Relation Manager, Bowen & Bowen:
"Well, at this point, I mean, we are acknowledging the concerns raised certainly. And we, you know, we also acknowledge the importance of these discussions to the future of the sugar industry. The sugar industry is such a vital part of the Belize's economy. And we as Bowen and Bowen is one of the largest buyers of local sugar, and we rely on that partnership very heavily to ensure that we can produce our products. I mean, everyone knows that's why Belizean Coca-Cola tastes so good because it's made with local sugar, right? So for us, it's at this point, we're definitely following the developments with keen interest."
"You know, any increase in the price of local sugar is going to affect competitiveness of local products, definitely. And I think protecting local sales is in everyone's interest at this point. So yes, for us, any increase in the price of sugar is definitely going to impact on us and many other Belizean producers. I think it's a cost of goods issue. You know, those are one of our main ingredients. And for anyone who is producing anything with local sugar, an increase in the price is certainly going to affect their cost of goods, their cost of production."
"And, you know, decisions will have to be made when that time comes for sure."
You can see the entire statement from Bowen and Bowen on our Facebook page.
As for rum producers, we reached out to two of them - and they are planning to meet to come up with a collective position. But they also say that an increase in the price of molasses would price them out of the market.
